Defending co-champion Jiri Novak has been added to the River Oaks International field and will be the No. 2 seed when the River Oaks Country Club's 71st tournament starts Monday.

Tommy Haas, once the second-ranked player in the world, is the top seed in the 24-man event. Paradorn Srichaphan will be the third seed, followed by Taylor Dent, Robby Ginepri, Thomas Enqvist, Jeff Morrison and Dmitry Tursunov.

The seeded players will receive first-round byes.

But the tournament has lost two of its top drawing cards in Mark Philippoussis and Donald Young Jr. Philippoussis, the former Wimbledon runner-up whose career has been plagued by physical problems, was hurt again in his opening match in the Nasdaq-100 Open and will be off the court for at least five weeks. Young had to withdraw because of a scheduling conflict.

The last man into the field will be decided at 2 p.m. today when Michael Domanski plays Dusan Vemic in the final round of qualifying.

Novak, ranked 26th to Haas' 17th on the ATP computer, advanced to the final against Hugo Armando a year ago but they were unable to finish because of daylong heavy rains. Armando also returns and will meet Alex Kuznetsov in Monday's featured match at 5:30 p.m. The tournament begins with Brendan Evans vs. Thomas Blake at 1:30 p.m.

Tournament director and River Oaks head pro Van Barry says Andy Roddick's exhibition match against Mardy Fish on Thursday evening will be played as scheduled despite Roddick's having to withdraw from the Nasdaq in the second round last week with a wrist injury.

When Luke Jensen was Phil Simmonds' age, Simmonds was two years from being born. When Luke Jensen had last walked onto a court for a singles match in which winning was of consequence to both participants, circa 1996-97, Phil Simmonds was a grade-schooler.

But Jensen is the consummate have-racket-will-travel tennis ambassador and he was due to appear at the River Oaks International anyway this week, having been hired again to emcee matches and schmooze club members. So, after Mark Philippoussis wound up in a cast after injuring himself at the Nasdaq-100 Open and had to send his late regrets, tournament director Van Barry told Jensen that he needed him to fill an additional role.

First-round fodder.

"Is that Luke Jensen?" asked a fan who wandered up to the grandstand court where Jensen, 38, and Simmonds, 18, were warming up. "I thought he was retired."

Well, Luke?

"I most definitely am," he said. "No miracle comebacks for me."

Actually, Jensen acquitted himself rather well for a man with a predominantly silver ponytail and who, even in his prime, never cracked the top 150 on the singles chart. He did not, however, play well enough to have to play twice. Simmonds, another American junior with a bracing first serve, largely ignored Jensen's myriad mischievous acts of gamesmanship, keeping a poker face until just before he had dispatched the old codger 6-3, 6-4.

Finally, Jensen coaxed a smile out of the taciturn teen — after having distracted him into a meaningless double fault. For Jensen, that was victory enough.

"It's fun to be able to play a kid like Phillip who's on his way up and mess with his mind a little bit," Jensen said. "But today it didn't work. He's a guy with a lot of talent, a tremendous amount of power on both sides. The biggest thing (for him to improve) is shot selection. When he serves, it's all or nothing — a big first serve with a good (second) kick serve. Every time. In football, circumstances change based on down and distance. That's what Phillip has to learn, that he doesn't have to hit every ball three million miles an hour. But you only learn that by playing a lot of matches."

Jensen said 18-year-old Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who beat Roger Federer in the Nasdaq last year and had him in a two-set hole before succumbing in Sunday's final, is off the charts for his age in terms of possessing both an utterly resolute style and mental toughness.

"Last year in the Brazil Open final, I saw him get ahead 6-0, 4-0 against his countryman, Alberto Martin," Jensen said. "Then it slipped away from him. But, the entire time, never once did I see him throw his racket or even get down. He was always positive."

Jensen, for his part, saw way too much futile grinding in his own future and thus chose doubles as his forte. He and his younger brother, Murphy, became famous when they won at Roland Garros in 1993 while simultaneously inventing rock-and-roll tennis. Although they never duplicated that one magical French fortnight, they still carved out a comfortable niche for themselves with zany, fan-friendly antics.

Jensen, in fact, earned another nice sum for his just-for-fun pinch-hit whiff Tuesday. Yes, it beats working for a living.

As it happened, all three officially retired players in the International field bowed out, but Wayne Ferreira, who left the tour at the end of 2004, didn't surrender easily. Baylor's Benedikt Dorsch needed two tiebreakers to eliminate the two-time River Oaks runner-up from South Africa 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10).

Srichaphan aims to reopen his window of opportunity
Thai hero relying on coach in quest to recapture game
By DALE ROBERTSON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

How good is good enough? Did Paradorn Srichaphan set out to be the No. 1 player in the world, or did he only want to test himself against the best, to see how high he could climb?

Srichaphan is already the greatest Thai player ever, a national hero who travels with an honorary diplomatic passport. In 2002, he introduced himself to the world by knocking Andre Agassi out of Wimbledon in the second round.

In 2003, he became the first Asian player to crack the top 10 when he climbed to ninth in mid-May. But, by the end of 2004, he had slipped to 27th and, as he approaches his 26th birthday, his window of opportunity would seem to be closing.

So he's exploring options, trying to find out for certain if perhaps there's more tennis talent in his lithe, athletic body than he has thus far been able to tap.

Time left
"I think I have two, three more years to see what I can accomplish," Srichaphan said Wednesday, after he was defeated 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-1 by the intrepid clay-court grinder, Hugo Armando, co-champion of the River Oaks International a year ago.

"But whatever happens in my career, I can say I'm proud of what I've done."

Hunger, then, is arguably an issue. However, if he didn't care, if he were as satisfied as he is proud, he wouldn't have reached beyond his close-knit family for help. Always coached by his father, Chanachai, Thailand's Davis Cup captain, Srichaphan recently hired Texan T.J. Middleton to give him, Middleton suggests, "a fresh voice."

Middleton, who once attended Humble Middle School, was a doubles specialist, and he's intent upon giving Srichaphan more dimensions to his game. Mainly, he wants him to rule the net, to use his size and reach and reflexes to take the fight to the opponent.

When the third-seeded Srichaphan did that to Armando, he usually won the point. But he didn't do it very often, and the resolute Armando ultimately won the war of attrition.

Afterward, Middleton sought the counsel of one of the game's most multi-dimensional players ever, Fred Stolle. Stolle, who won the French and U.S. Grand Slams in his prime four decades ago, could only smile and shrug.

"They play a different game than we did," Stolle said.

Sticking with it
But, because Srichaphan isn't a preternatural clay-courter, and because this was his 2005 debut on the surface, Middleton intends to dismiss the defeat as insignificant and keep pounding home his message.

"It's tough to stay where Paradorn got (the top 10)," he said. "Now we have to fine-tune a few things, like finding a way to get him some easier points coming to the net, so he can stay up there. Sharpening up the volleys has been a big part of what we're working on. His groundstrokes and his power are very apparent when you watch him play. But you watch a (Roger) Federer and you see him winning in many different ways.

"I don't mess with Paradorn's groundstrokes, except to try to make him a little more patient and keep the ball on the court while he waits for his opportunities."

The two first met during a qualifying match in Shanghai in 1998, which Middleton won. He was traveling with Vince Spadea last fall when he met Srichaphan for a cup of coffee and a catch-up conversation. The talk produced a professional relationship. He spent December in Thailand, getting to know the player better and, no less importantly, winning the family's trust. The Srichaphans are so close that Paradorn's house is next to his parents'.

Spreading his wings
"His father decided to take a step back and see what would happen if he let his son grow a little, spread his wings so to speak."

The experiment continues in Monte Carlo next week.

Armando was one of three unseeded players to register upsets as the quarterfinals of the 71st River Oaks tournament began to take shape.

Arguably the match of the day, however, was the dramatic doubles win by thirty-somethings Wayne Ferreira and Jeff Tarango over American teenagers Evans and Alex Kuznetsov. The oldsters thwarted the youngsters 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3).

I agree, Go Robby!
As for James and Tommy, be gentlemen and play fair. May the best man win (I don't want to pick one over the other :D).

Deboogle!.

04-09-2005, 04:36 PM

your celebration of blake beating hugo :p

:sad: that's no way to treat a lady! hmph

but seriously, James needs all the wins he can get to build his confidence and regain his good form.

Tricky_Forehand

04-09-2005, 05:52 PM

Go Tommy!!

Between Robby & Dmitry: Go Dmitry!!!! :bounce: :bounce: *Though this result will be nice either way*

Go Tommy/Hugo :yeah:

Deboogle!.

04-09-2005, 08:56 PM

Blake defeats Haas 3-6,6-3,6-4
:woohoo: :woohoo:

I know it's just an exho, but this is really big for James.. I just hope he can carry this momentum and confidence into real tourneys where it matters for his ranking.

Tricky_Forehand

04-09-2005, 09:05 PM

Tommy :sad:

Now the waiting for Dmitry's result *tap tap tap*

Deboogle!.

04-09-2005, 11:55 PM

Here you go Katherine

Turnsunov defeats Ginepri
6-4, 7-5

bad gambler

04-09-2005, 11:57 PM

Blake defeats Haas 3-6,6-3,6-4
:woohoo: :woohoo:

I know it's just an exho, but this is really big for James.. I just hope he can carry this momentum and confidence into real tourneys where it matters for his ranking.

now that's a win worth celebrating about :yeah:

Deboogle!.

04-09-2005, 11:57 PM

now that's a win worth celebrating about :yeah:

*wags finger* you better not be mocking me!!

Fee

04-10-2005, 12:00 AM

Thanks Deb.

Impressive for James, but not good at all for Robby. He should have won that match, he must have gone dumb again. Well, fine then. Both Robby and Tommy must make it up to me by playing better at the Clay Courts. Now, everybody drive down to Austin for a party at Andy's :lol:

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 12:03 AM

I feel like Robby should be good on clay..... but he's not. It's probably mental. I saw him play Tommy last year in houston first round and he was up pretty good in the tiebreak but lost it. It's unfortunate that his ranking has dropped so much so he has to either try to qualify for the other Masters tourneys or whatever... but it just doesn't make sense. with his gamestyle and the way he moves, he really ought to be able to play well on clay :scratch:

I hope James wins, it would really be good for his confidence I think :D Especially since he actually has points to defend in Houston :unsure:

oh, and you're welcome ;)

bad gambler

04-10-2005, 12:44 AM

where are you getting these results from?

Fee

04-10-2005, 12:47 AM

I agree Deb, and Robby doesn't think he's good at Doubles either, but he is. This is one of the reasons that I am glad he's working with Francisco Montana right now, he's making him do different things in order to improve his game. Robby played really good doubles in San Jose with JMG, he returned well and volleyed well and JMG seemed impressed (worst mistake by RG - horrible court positioning). Robby has excellent footwork and footspeed, and he's strong. Someone needs to convince him that he could do well on clay if he could just stay focused for the entire match and keep his brain in the game.

Tricky_Forehand

04-10-2005, 01:09 AM

Dmitry :woohoo: :woohoo:

Nice for you guys to be giving credit to Dmitry for the win :rolleyes: . I guess people forget how good someone is when they are injured for so long.

Good week for Robby though :yeah:

Tommy/Hugo :yeah:

Go Dmitry!!! :bounce: *I wonder if he will make the trip to Bermuda (to get actual points) after doing so well in an exo*

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 01:36 AM

where are you getting these results from?

The tourney has a website ;)

Katherine, discussing Robby's problems on clay is in no way discrediting Dmitry. There is no logic in that whatsoever. I saw Dmitry on clay last year... I wasn't particularly impressed by any especially good claycourt game that I saw, and Tommy absolutely dismantled him. But that's besides the point, nowhere did I see "wow, Robby must've blown this match and I bet Dmitry didn't play that well" or whatever... please. I don't even LIKE Robby all that much :lol:

Glad to hear it about Robby's coach, Fee. I saw him play doubles last year in Houston and thought he had some potential there, he's not too bad at the net. Couldn't agree with you more about the mental stuff. Though that seems like most of the American guys' problems on clay, eh?

Fee, did you say something about a party at Andy's? :drink: :drink:

bad gambler

04-10-2005, 01:47 AM

is this being shown by anyone in US?

Scotso

04-10-2005, 02:09 AM

pffff... I was happy with Hugo until I saw that he lost to an out of form Blake on clay :mad:

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 02:12 AM

nope, BG.. you kidding?!

what do you mean 'out of form'? James has been playing well this year, especially lately.... he's looking more and more like he did when he was at his best.

bad gambler

04-10-2005, 02:35 AM

are any of the summer masters tournaments shown in the states?

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 02:36 AM

We get Canada and Cincy.... is that what you mean? That's our summer...

We get 1-hour highlight shows at like 2am of the 3 clay ones :o Unless you get The Tennis Channel.... which, no one does.....

bad gambler

04-10-2005, 02:40 AM

We get Canada and Cincy.... is that what you mean? That's our summer...

We get 1-hour highlight shows at like 2am of the 3 clay ones :o Unless you get The Tennis Channel.... which, no one does.....

yes cincy and monte (i'm going to montreal btw :woohoo: )

i didn't realise how badly tennis fans get screwed over in the US - i probably should stop complaining about australia's lack of coverage when compared to you guys

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 02:44 AM

Our coverage of the 4 US/Canada Masters events is..... OK... but we get very little of anything else outside the slams. and the coverage we do get is heavily centered around the Americans and with the overseas slams we're lucky to get stuff live. As for smaller tourneys, our coverage is extremely limited and extremely random. We get the semis and finals of a few select IS tourneys and that's really about it. Tennis is below things like pool and poker and the like here. Very sad. We're close to being able to get the Tennis Channel more widespread. The biggest cable company in the US is Comcast and they signed a nationwide deal with TTC. But all that means is that each city is free to make its own launch with TTC... so we all have to bug the Comcast offices in our area and try to lobby them to launch. For example, there's no signs of it being added anytime soon in the Los Angeles area. I was hoping that with the deal we'd be able to get it in time for Rome and Hamburg but it's not looking too promising :(

But yea, our coverage is pretty awful. But when we are able to get TTC, it's gonna kick major ass.

bad gambler

04-10-2005, 02:49 AM

are u getting any clay tournaments?

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 02:50 AM

Roland Garros :o

bad gambler

04-10-2005, 02:53 AM

Roland Garros :o

i guess no demand, therefore no justification to show

money makes the world go around :)

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 02:55 AM

i guess no demand, therefore no justification to showWell, if you ask people HERE I'm sure you'd find demand, but the sporting networks here (mainly ESPN and its progeny and FoxSports) probably know that world poker tour or world champion bass fishing or whatever gets more viewers. Really, really sad.

money makes the world go around :) The sad truth.

Tricky_Forehand

04-10-2005, 02:56 AM

Impressive for James, but not good at all for Robby. He should have won that match, he must have gone dumb again.

It was this comment by Fee, Deb...that made me say what I did.

I apologize for saying "you guys" :)

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 02:57 AM

ok.

well I'll leave that between you two. :bolt:

bad gambler

04-10-2005, 03:00 AM

The sad truth.

that's a refreshing comment coming from a future lawyer, lets see how long that attitude lasts ;)

Tricky_Forehand

04-10-2005, 03:01 AM

:lol:

There's nothing to leave. She stated her personal opinion and I countered with my own :)

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 03:04 AM

that's a refreshing comment coming from a future lawyer, lets see how long that attitude lasts ;)

I'm not becoming a lawyer to make lots of money... I actually think contract negotiation is interesting :)

But, after a tortuous progression of blown opportunities in what was surely one of the most remarkable games on River Oaks' nearly 80-year-old Stadium Court, Tursunov survived. After seven squandered match points, he won the eighth to reach the River Oaks International final against James Blake.

The 22-year-old Russian who feels like an American because he has lived in California since he was 12 rallied from an early deficit to defeat 22-year-old American Robby Ginepri 6-4, 7-5, after Blake had come from a set down to oust top-seeded Tommy Haas 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

"We're both hungry," Tursunov said of today's showdown against Blake. "Neither of us has played that much."

In Blake, the eighth-seeded Tursunov draws his fourth opponent in five days after having just one match in seven months. He was being laid low by a broken vertebra in his lower back suffered July 4, the day after he reached a career-best No. 63 in the world.

Blake, in turn, was out of commission for most of the final seven months of 2004 after first suffering a broken vertebra in his neck when he collided with a net post.

Playing on and on

Although River Oaks offers no ranking points — and both of them could use a few because they've fallen out of the top 100 — the court time is invaluable.

"Robby probably had more confidence going in, and it showed," Tursunov said. "We'd practiced early in the week, and he beat me pretty solidly in a couple sets. But I settled down and got into a pretty good rhythm, at least until the last game."

The fifth-seeded Ginepri only smacked one winner to stay in the fight. The other reprieves were the result of Tursunov miscues and an incorrect overrule by chair umpire Gail Gregory, who gave Ginepri one of the four break points he was unable to convert in the marathon 28-point game, which was at deuce 11 times.:eek:

Tursunov responded to Gregory's "odd decision" by bashing a service winner to Ginepri's backhand. But three more match points would be squandered with bad errors.

"Dmitry struck the ball well today and kept me on the defensive a lot more than I would have liked," Ginepri said. "I couldn't get back in the rallies to attack him."

After dropping the first three games, Tursunov won six of the next seven and was seemingly in control when he broke for a 3-2 second-set lead. Ginepri answered in kind, but Tursunov dominated the rest of the match, getting the crucial break in what became the next-to-last game with a grueling 18-stroke rally ending when Ginepri netted a forehand down the line.

As for Blake, no matter how depressed he felt when he couldn't play matches last year, he refused to mope. Instead, he made good use of his down time, relentlessly working on his serve and spending hours tweaking his drop shot. Straight away, Haas felt the full effects of Blake's self-improvement efforts. Noting Haas' position well behind the baseline, Blake won the first point of their semifinal with a perfect drop shot.

Haas atones in doubles

And he finished his victory over the 27-year-old German by serving a love game to give himself a chance to win the International for the second time in three years. He beat Wayne Ferreira in the 2003 final.

Ferreira returned despite having retired from the ATP Tour, and he joined forces with Jeff Tarango to reach the doubles final. But Haas and Hugo Armando were too strong en route to a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

"I was pretty pleased for the first set and a half, but then I played a few loose points in the second set," Haas said of his loss to Blake. "When he came up with some good shots to break me, it kind of took a toll mentally.."

mad1town

04-10-2005, 06:36 PM

That article about the semis was a pretty revealing article about Tursunov's game...his success is all about getting confidence on the tour. Although he is 22, he has had 2 fractures to his back (this last one requiring surgery) and has missed a lot of tennis over the past 4 years so he is still finding his mental footing. Once he gets comfortable with an opponent he does just fine

The article mentioned that he practiced with Robbie earlier in the week and was beaten fairly soundly the first few sets...he obviously gain some confidence with those practice matches and was able to win the semifinal match.

Last year, someone posted that they saw Tursunov get killed by Haas...it was all confidence...when he doesn't have it he looks bad. A power player who has no confidence is a 1/2 step slow to the ball which results in balls being sprayed all over the court. However, once he is playing with confidence, you see the player that Brad Gilbert and others has said can be a top 10-20 player. If you have ever seen him play in person you see an amazing power game...

I predict that if his back holds up after this corrective surgery and he can go through an entire cycle on the the ATP tour, he will realize that he can play and beat anyone on any given day. When that happens you will see him in the top 20 in the world....

I'm looking forward the final. I'm also a big fan of James Blake...I think he has done more with his talent than most on the tour...he has great toughness. Hopefully their success at River Oaks will help both of these guys...

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 06:42 PM

That article about the semis was a pretty revealing article about Tursunov's game...his success is all about getting confidence on the tour. 99% of the players on tour could be described this way... even a lot of the top top players.

Last year, someone posted that they saw Tursunov get killed by Haas...it was all confidence...when he doesn't have it he looks bad. It was me, I was at the match. It was a whole year ago so obviously I don't remember every point of the match, but it was a QF match and Dmitry had just pulled off two pretty tough wins from what I recall, so he should've been decently confident. Tommy just completely dismantled him - he's just a better player on the surface, or at least he was at the time.

SonicCRO

04-10-2005, 07:32 PM

Enyone have some score from final game :rolleyes: :worship: :wavey:

Tricky_Forehand

04-10-2005, 07:41 PM

Final started 40 minutes ago. Hopefully, the website will be quick about posting the result.

SonicCRO

04-10-2005, 07:43 PM

Final started 40 minutes ago. Hopefully, the website will be quick about posting the result.

I hope that too :p

Seeker

04-10-2005, 08:44 PM

Blake, hope you are winning

mad1town

04-10-2005, 09:27 PM

[QUOTE=Debstah]99% of the players on tour could be described this way... even a lot of the top top players.

Of course, all players play best when their confidence is high. I am referring to talent...Tursunov has serious top level talent...more than your average touring pro. So, if two players are both highly confident coming into a match, I'll take the player who has more natural athleticism and talent any day of the week. However, with that being said, we all know tennis is more than just natural ability, the mental side of the game is critical...he has not proven he has that yet (primarily because he has been so plagued by injuries the last several years).

Seeker

04-10-2005, 09:52 PM

Still no results ?
Nothing on home page :(

Tricky_Forehand

04-10-2005, 11:12 PM

Still no results on the home page. They decided to get lazy NOW...on the Final day

Deboogle!.

04-10-2005, 11:13 PM

Well they've been pretty lazy all week :lol:

Tricky_Forehand

04-10-2005, 11:17 PM

Yea, but the Final was hours ago and it's one measly result not 3 or 4 :rolleyes:

mad1town

04-10-2005, 11:29 PM

I call the club...Blake won won the lady didn't know the score.

mad1town

04-10-2005, 11:31 PM

Let me try that again...James Blake won. The lady I spoke with did not know the score though...

Should be an encouraging week for Dmitry's fans, too... he's JUST coming back from his injury, no?

Tricky_Forehand

04-11-2005, 01:22 AM

Dmitry :sad:

Deb, this wasn't his first tournament back (I think it was IW where he played one match) but he hasn't played since then. I'm very happy for the week that he gave himself. Now, if he plays Houston, I hope that he takes it easy this week.

James Blake's newfound equanimity paid off in spades at the River Oaks International this weekend. Not only did he claim the tournament's Ernie Langston Trophy awarded to the best sportsman, he also kept his cool during Sunday's final when Dmitry Tursunov got off the canvas and applied some heat early in the second set.

Blake was pummeling Tursunov at the end of the first set, winning 13 of the last 14 points. But the expatriate Russian bear, coming out of hibernation after an injury-induced layoff, had plenty of energy and desire. He sensed Blake was the better playerbut refused to let himself be embarrassed after the solid week of tennis he produced.

Two breaks sway result
So, playing in just his second tournament since the U.S. Open last fall, Tursunov came out hammering. Blake didn't blink, though. He survived the onslaught and, breaking twice to finish the match, won 6-2, 6-3 for his second International title in three years.

He's a much-changed player, however, from the guy who defeated Wayne Ferreira in 2003. Blake has been through a lot and learned a great deal, about life and tennis. Coming off a lost year on the court and a sad one elsewhere after his father died of cancer, Blake has gained perspective — with a capital "P."

"The biggest difference for me is my attitude," he said. "I realize every match isn't going to be live or die. ...

"So I don't get as nervous. I don't start asking myself, 'What should I do? Should I change my game?' I'll just keep playing the way I play."

Blake's last tournament victory on the ATP Tour was in Washington in 2003, propelling him toward a career-best No. 22 in the world rankings. Today, after injury (a cracked vertebrae), illness (the disease zoster with symptoms including dizziness and facial paralysis) and personal loss, he's No. 188.

His River Oaks triumph won't help rectify that because it doesn't offer ATP points.

No matter. This, he believes, was a milestone event, a major step forward for him.

Back for Clay Courts
Besides, it gave the New Yorker and one-time Harvard student the first leg of the Houston Slam. He already had received the final wild card into the main draw for the U.S. Clay Court Championships at Westside Tennis Club next week.

Tursunov, 22, whose ranking fell from 63rd to 129th after he broke a vertebra in a boating mishap July 4, will have to try to qualify at Westside.

He, too, saw his River Oaks run to be a satisfying experience. He didn't lose the match; rather, Blake won it.

"What's the deal with the lines, James?" Tursunov said when he walked in on Blake's post-match interview.

Blake had painted a number of them during a patch of nearly perfect tennis at the end of the first set. He alternated screaming groundstrokes off both wings with deftly placed drop shots, and he was surpassing 120 mph with his serve.

"Hey," Blake said, "you hit two lines yourself when you broke me."

That break in the fourth game of the second set had answered one by Blake and leveled the score at 2. Then Tursunov held easily. The 2,500 fans in the stadium sensed the momentum changing.

"Two years ago," Blake said, "I might have gotten down on myself there. I'd be going, 'Shoot, I saw the finish line and I couldn't close it out. I could have won this thing.' Today, I just kept my focus and went right back to work."

'Pretty big' forehand
He held at love, then broke at love when Tursunov, unnerved by two beautiful Blake volleys, answered with a pair of loose points. A drop shot with Tursunov trapped far behind the baseline made it 5-3, Blake. Tursunov subsequently would save one match point against his serve, but consecutive errors finished him off.

"Dmitry can hit that forehand pretty big from anywhere," Blake said of Tursunov, a Californian since he left Russia when he was 12. "I was hopeful I could just frustrate him with a few of my gets (off drop shots), then take control when I got my opportunities."

And that's how it played out, with Blake, 25, becoming the 13th player in the tournament's 71 years to win it at least twice.

Fee

04-11-2005, 06:06 PM

This is excellent news about James, if he really believes the things he says in this article about staying calm and focused during matches. In a few weeks, he won't have any points to defend and he will start moving up the rankings again. I really believe he is on the way to a good season and he could work his way back up to the Top 50.

Tricky_Forehand

04-11-2005, 06:21 PM

Thanks for posting that article!! I can just picture that comment coming out of Dmitry's mouth with that "California dude" accent :lol:

Deboogle!.

04-11-2005, 11:40 PM

This is excellent news about James, if he really believes the things he says in this article about staying calm and focused during matches. In a few weeks, he won't have any points to defend and he will start moving up the rankings again. I really believe he is on the way to a good season and he could work his way back up to the Top 50.

I really really really hope so, Fee. This is what he sent to Chris, who runs jamesblaketennis.com:

the finals was a good match against tursunov. i played really well and was returning great to break him pretty consistently. and then it was just a matter of taking care of my own serve. the new clay at river oaks really helped to have a true clay court feel. it is much slower this year. that helped when i needed to defend against his big forehand.

as for the match with haas, i lost the first set but actually had more break points than tommy. so i knew that i was playing well, and just had to keep it up and hopefully the breaks would start going my way. i did just that and continued to play really well. i broke him the first game of the third set and held all the way through to make that break hold up.

this tournament felt great to help with my confidence because i really feel like i played some top level tennis. i am very pleased with my first clay court event of the year and hope it bodes well for the rest of the season.

on a side note, thank god the mets won today. i couldn't take all the jokes.

jb

I've always felt that he should be a good player on clay because he moves, defends, and returns well and has good groundies. I really hope this does give him the confidence he needs to really build up some steam. Unfortunately, he actually has QF points to defend in Houston :( But after that, it should all be icing on the cake. I'm just so thrilled to him, he just really deserves to have a good season and catch some good breaks along the way.

bad gambler

04-12-2005, 08:59 AM

wow didn't realise blake was ok on the dirt :yeah:

mad1town

04-12-2005, 01:31 PM

Interesting comments from James about being able to breaking Dmitry's serve. I wonder if Dmitry's back surgery has caused him to "power down" his serve. Last time I saw him he had a major serve and hit several in the 130's...it was a major weapon to go along with his big forehand and groundies.

The other possibility is that this was a very slow clay court so it negated the serves...

Deboogle!.

04-12-2005, 02:18 PM

wow didn't realise blake was ok on the dirt :yeah:

Yeah, he's alright! :)

mad1town, they just redid the clay courts at River Oaks before this exhibition with some kind of American red clay and a self-moistening system with "irrigation" under the court (all sounds very hi-tech!), and it does sound like it was extremely slow. The Houston Chronicle had a quote from Tommy Haas that it was the slowest court he'd ever played on.